Play, giggles go hand-in-hand at Pink Giraffe

Elves entertain children from Montessori Country Day School during "Cocoa with the Elves" at Pink Giraffe on Friday.

MIKE DIRKS/TIMES-NEWS

By Nancy TANKERTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Friday, December 20, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 20, 2013 at 4:44 p.m.

When Dana Swekosky's teenage girls were toddlers, she searched high and low for a place where “we could have unique indoor birthday parties, but nothing existed.”

Last October, Swekowsky changed that when she opened The Pink Giraffe on Haywood Road in Hendersonville.

“We are a unique party venue that offers birthday parties with costumed performers on a small theatrical set,” she explained during a “Cocoa with the Elves” event on Friday. About a dozen 3- to 5-year-olds from the nearby Montessori Country Day School attended the event, which consisted of four North Pole elves in full elf regalia leading the children in song, telling stories, playing games and even having a pretend snowball fight that left the kids collapsing in giggles.

The children's favorite elf was Fix It Elf, who can fix anything. He was joined by Curious Elf, Wanna-Be Santa Elf and Poinsettia Elf.

“Fix It Elf is funny!” declared 3-year-old Elena Styles.

“You work with Santa, right?” she asked Wanna Be Santa Elf. “Yes, I do!” the elf responded.

“The snowball fight was fun,” said Morgan Tucker, 4, sipping his cocoa. “I saw Santa at a farm and I asked him for a sled and Legos!”

Montessori Country Day owner Maggie Whitmire, who has 30 years of teaching experience, said the event was great for her students on their last day of school before Christmas break.

“They are loving it here and they're excited about the holidays,” she said. “The elves are doing a fabulous job. They're engaging the kids, not just putting on a play or something. At this age, the kids need interaction, which makes events like this much more fun.”

The Pink Giraffe also hosts pixie parties, “in which the guests come in and pick out a tutu and pixie wings to put on during the performance, and soon the show begins,” Swekowsky said. “The pixies, Mother Nature, and the Guardian of the Enchanted Garden perform a skit that includes a little participation of the birthday girl, and then they play pixie games with the children.”

The parties are geared toward 3- to 9-year-olds.

“We also offer special children's ticketed events for the public,” Swekowsky said, including a visit from Cinderella in January.

The elves were played by Swekowsky and her husband, Tom Bleick's, children — Langley Morgan, Skylan Rayne, Lakelyn Reed and Caroline Bleick.

The Pink Giraffe had its genesis in her children's love of theater and acting, Swekowsky said.

“By the time each one of my children were 5, they had caught the acting bug and have been in many theater, TV and film productions,” she said. “After all four of us performed together a couple of times, I realized what a special gift it is to be able to entertain people together. After a few visits to Disney World, I became enamored with the entire Disney experience and love watching the excitement of children when around a costumed performer.”

Looking forward to next year, The Pink Giraffe will offer “more ticketed events, such as Meet & Greet with Cinderella, Leap with the Leprechauns, Cookies with Little Red Riding Hood, Dr. Suess's Birthday Party, The Monster Mash and many more,” Swekowsky said. “These events are for boys and girls. Our most notable addition to 2014 will be offering parties for ages 10 and up. I won't go into details, but will mention chocolate and punch fountains.”

She added that watching “the children's reactions to the characters — costumed performers — is where I find the most enjoyment. Children grow up in a blink of an eye, so our mission at The Pink Giraffe is to give parents the opportunity to make the happiest memories of the their children's birthday parties possible.”

The Pink Giraffe is located at 1515 Haywood Road in Hendersonville. Call 828-388-3155 for more information.

<p>When Dana Swekosky's teenage girls were toddlers, she searched high and low for a place where “we could have unique indoor birthday parties, but nothing existed.” </p><p>Last October, Swekowsky changed that when she opened The Pink Giraffe on Haywood Road in Hendersonville. </p><p>“We are a unique party venue that offers birthday parties with costumed performers on a small theatrical set,” she explained during a “Cocoa with the Elves” event on Friday. About a dozen 3- to 5-year-olds from the nearby Montessori Country Day School attended the event, which consisted of four North Pole elves in full elf regalia leading the children in song, telling stories, playing games and even having a pretend snowball fight that left the kids collapsing in giggles. </p><p>The children's favorite elf was Fix It Elf, who can fix anything. He was joined by Curious Elf, Wanna-Be Santa Elf and Poinsettia Elf.</p><p>“Fix It Elf is funny!” declared 3-year-old Elena Styles. </p><p>“You work with Santa, right?” she asked Wanna Be Santa Elf. “Yes, I do!” the elf responded. </p><p>“The snowball fight was fun,” said Morgan Tucker, 4, sipping his cocoa. “I saw Santa at a farm and I asked him for a sled and Legos!”</p><p>Montessori Country Day owner Maggie Whitmire, who has 30 years of teaching experience, said the event was great for her students on their last day of school before Christmas break.</p><p>“They are loving it here and they're excited about the holidays,” she said. “The elves are doing a fabulous job. They're engaging the kids, not just putting on a play or something. At this age, the kids need interaction, which makes events like this much more fun.”</p><p>The Pink Giraffe also hosts pixie parties, “in which the guests come in and pick out a tutu and pixie wings to put on during the performance, and soon the show begins,” Swekowsky said. “The pixies, Mother Nature, and the Guardian of the Enchanted Garden perform a skit that includes a little participation of the birthday girl, and then they play pixie games with the children.” </p><p>The parties are geared toward 3- to 9-year-olds. </p><p>“We also offer special children's ticketed events for the public,” Swekowsky said, including a visit from Cinderella in January.</p><p>The elves were played by Swekowsky and her husband, Tom Bleick's, children — Langley Morgan, Skylan Rayne, Lakelyn Reed and Caroline Bleick. </p><p>The Pink Giraffe had its genesis in her children's love of theater and acting, Swekowsky said. </p><p>“By the time each one of my children were 5, they had caught the acting bug and have been in many theater, TV and film productions,” she said. “After all four of us performed together a couple of times, I realized what a special gift it is to be able to entertain people together. After a few visits to Disney World, I became enamored with the entire Disney experience and love watching the excitement of children when around a costumed performer.”</p><p>Looking forward to next year, The Pink Giraffe will offer “more ticketed events, such as Meet & Greet with Cinderella, Leap with the Leprechauns, Cookies with Little Red Riding Hood, Dr. Suess's Birthday Party, The Monster Mash and many more,” Swekowsky said. “These events are for boys and girls. Our most notable addition to 2014 will be offering parties for ages 10 and up. I won't go into details, but will mention chocolate and punch fountains.”</p><p>She added that watching “the children's reactions to the characters — costumed performers — is where I find the most enjoyment. Children grow up in a blink of an eye, so our mission at The Pink Giraffe is to give parents the opportunity to make the happiest memories of the their children's birthday parties possible.”</p><p>The Pink Giraffe is located at 1515 Haywood Road in Hendersonville. Call 828-388-3155 for more information.</p><p>Reach Tanker at 828-694-7871 or nancy.tanker@blueridgenow.com.</p>